MINOT, N.D. (AP) - Authorities allege that a Minot man accused of killing his girlfriend beat her with his fists and feet for several days.
Darin Parker, 47, is charged with murder in the death of 44-year-old Karrie Williams. She was found injured at an apartment early Sunday and died hours later at a hospital. Authorities allege that Parker punched Williams in the face and head and kicked her in the body, including while she was on the floor, while the two were drinking.
State Medical Examiner William Massello, who performed the autopsy, concluded that the bruises covering Williams’ face, chest, legs and other parts of her body had been inflicted “over a period of three days to a week” and that some of her ribs and her jaw were broken, according to the Minot Daily News. Her internal injuries included a lacerated liver, bruised kidneys and bleeding on the left side of her brain, Massello said.
Parker made his initial court appearance on Wednesday and said he will ask for a public defender to represent him. His bond was set at $750,000 cash. He is due back in court on April 4, and could enter a plea at that time. The murder charge he faces carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
Court documents show Parker pleaded guilty to simple assault-domestic violence charges twice last year. Both cases involved Williams. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of disobeying a judicial order in the current case because he was barred from having contact with Williams.
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